Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season Review
I enjoyed the Discovery Channel series (Everest: Beyond the Limit) on Netflix streaming. The series focused on the Russel Brice group but also touched on some of the tragedies that occurred on the mountain. This book tells some of the stories from the series, but also a whole lot more. It tells of one climber who perished and another who survived a harrowing night on the mountain, not in the group that was profiled in the series. The book also gives a lot of history about Everest and lots of background on the people risking their lives to reach the summit. The growth of websites devoted to following the happenings on the mountains is also looked at Definitely worthwhile if you are interested in Everest and have already Krakauer's Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster about the 1996 season that also had its share of tragedies.
Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season Overview
"A dramatic story, ably and convincingly told . . . A chilling look at the precarious line between success and tragedy."—Kirkus Reviews
On May 15, 2006, a young British climber named David Sharp lay dying near the top of Mount Everest while forty other climbers walked past him on their way to the summit. A week later, Lincoln Hall, a seasoned Australian climber, was left for dead near the same spot. Hall’s death was reported around the world, but the next day he was found alive after spending the night on the upper mountain with no food and no shelter.
If David Sharp’s death was shocking, it was hardly singular: ten others died attempting to reach the summit that year. In this meticulous inquiry into what went wrong, Nick Heil tells the full story of the deadliest year on Everest since the infamous season of 1996. As more climbers attempt the summit each year, Heil shows how increasingly risky expeditions and unscrupulous outfitters threaten to turn Everest into a deadly circus.
Written by an experienced climber, Dark Summit is both a riveting account of a notorious climbing season and a troubling investigation into whether the pursuit of the ultimate mountaineering prize has spiraled out of control.
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Customer Reviews
Not a climber, but enjoyed this read - John Capps - Gastonia, NC United States
I enjoy reading nonfiction, especially when it is about things or places I've never had and will never have any personal experience with. This is such a book. Not only about the deadly and controversial 2006 climbing season on Everest and some of the out-sized personalities involved, but the book also gives a cogent history of Everest climbing in general. Also, the author gives his own conclusions, which seem well-justified, about some of the hotly debated issues around some of the deaths, and near-deaths, that occurred that year. He is also plainly a good writer, making the book easy and a pleasure to read. I balked somewhat at the relatively high Kindle price (although it, unlike so many Kindle offerings these days) comes with speech-enabled, I am glad I bought it.
Fantastic looking book... - R. J. Alanis - Katy, TX United States
Since I just received the book and haven't had a chance yet to read it yet, this is more of a recommendation of the seller then a review of the book itself. Book arrived promptly and well packaged. The book is in FANTASTIC shape. Thanks!!
A fascinating look at the less well known north face - John E. Feldmann - Asheboro, NC
Nick Heil joins a growing number of authors who have discussed the growing problems of commercialized mountaineering on Mt. Everest. This book is extremely well written and presents an objective view about the less well known north side with an emphasis on the deadly 2006 season. Anyone who enjoys these books will find this one fascinating. It describes the technical aspects of the north face in detail, but does an outstanding job of bringing to life the people involved, both as guides with vast experience and as clients who often should not be on the mountain. This one is hard to put down.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 03, 2010 00:27:04
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